Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Itinerary for 3D2N Taipei Jetsaver Light Challenge!
Please click on each of the events in the itinerary to read the post on that specific itinerary!
Alternatively, you can also click on 'Next Itinerary' at the end of every post!
(Because blogger is having some pagination problem, posts might not all appear on the main page. Sorry for the inconvenience! This also makes a summary of the itinerary clearer.)
Day One
NOTE: All figures below are amounts for TWO people! And assuming that exchange rate is 1SGD = 22.01 NTD
Train ride from Zhong Xiao Xin Sheng 忠孝新生 to Taipower Building台电大楼 = 40 NTD
Food at Shi Da Night Market 师大夜市 = 170 NTD
Total = 40 + 170
= 210 NTD
= S$9.50 SGD
P.S. We did a breakdown on the cost of each kind of food/train&bus fares etc. in each itinerary entry! Do click in to read & know more :)
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Day Two
NOTE: All figures below are amounts for TWO people! And assuming that exchange rate is 1SGD = 22.01 NTD
Train ride from Zhong Xiao Xin Sheng 忠孝新生 to Tamsui 淡水 = 80 NTD
Ferry tickets from Tamsui 淡水 to Fisherman's Wharf 渔人码头 = 200 NTD
Food at Tamsui Street 淡水老街 = 205 NTD
Train ride from Tamsui 淡水 to Shi Lin 士林 = 64 NTD
Bus ride from Shi Lin 士林 to National Palace Museum国立故宫博物院 = 30 NTD
Bus ride from National Palace Museum to Shi Lin Night Market 士林夜市 = 30 NTD
Food at Shi Lin Night Market 士林夜市 = 255 NTD
Train ride from Jian Tan 剑潭 to Taipei City Hall 市政府 = 48 NTD
Train ride from Taipei City Hall 市政府 to Zhong Xiao Xin Sheng 忠孝新生 = 32 NTD
Total = 80 + 200 + 205 + 64 + 30 + 30 + 255 + 48 + 32
= 944 NTD
= S$42.80 SGD
P.S. We did a breakdown on the cost of each kind of food/train&bus fares etc. in each itinerary entry! Do click in to read & know more :)
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Day Three
NOTE: All figures below are amounts for TWO people! And assuming that exchange rate is 1SGD = 22.01 NTD
Train ride from Zhong Xiao Xin Sheng 忠孝新生 to Xi Men Ding 西门町 = 32 NTD
Food at Xi Men Ding 西门町 = 105 NTD
Train ride from Xi Men Ding 西门町 to Zhong Xiao Xin Sheng 忠孝新生 = 32 NTD
Total = 32 + 105 + 32
= 169 NTD
= S$7.60 SGD
P.S. We did a breakdown on the cost of each kind of food/train&bus fares etc. in each itinerary entry! Do click in to read & know more :)
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Total amount spent in 3D2N for 2 people = 9.50 + 42.80 + 7.60
= S$59.90 SGD
which is lesser than the allocated S$60 SGD budget for a team of two people!
Note: Personal splurges on entertainment (Singing karaoke etc) and shopping is not included in this list. This list only includes the basic necessities needed to enjoy a good holiday in Taipei!
Also, because our main focus this time is to try out the many different kinds of food & also to sightsee, we tend to allocate more budget to food and travelling.
There are, of course, many other ways to travel and have fun in Taipei, which would also be feasible within S$60 SGD!
Next Itinerary: jetsaver light challenge commences!Labels: 60 dollars, budget, itinerary
3:21 AM
Day 1, 20th May 2010
Taipei Jetsaver Light Challenge 2010
Jolyn and I were one of the ten teams selected to participate in this year's Taipei Jetsaver Light Challenge organized by Jetstar.
Contest entry required us to shoot a 3-minute long video introducing ourselves, why we love Jetstar and what we want to do in Taipei, which you have can watch
here!
& so based on our creativity, we were selected to go to Taipei! The challenge includes return air tickets on Jetsaver Light planes to Taiwan, 1 HTC Legend Smartphone, S$60SGD, and some free perks which we could enjoy in Taiwan!
Our folder from Jetstar which is filled with goodies!
The HTC Legend Smartphone awarded to us!
After checking in & before we boarded the plane, we headed over to the Ya Kun Kaya Toast located in Terminal 1's transit area for a light lunch. The awesome thing about Jetstar is that it takes off from Terminal 1, which has much more food choices as compared to Budget Terminal!
Our lunch!
Us being very excited before boarding the plane...
Finally onboard! Taipei here we come~
After a 4-hour long flight, we finally arrive in beautiful Taipei!
Time was around 7+pm, & weather was around 27-30 degrees, somewhat like Singapore!
At the immigration counters in Tao Yuan International Airport
Once we arrived at the airport, we already felt the warmth spread by the Taiwanese! The immigration counter staff are always all smiles, chatting with you as they carry out immigration procedures!
Labels: airport, day 1, htc, jetstar, plane
2:09 AM
Accommodation: Hotel 8 Zone 八方美学
During our 3 days 2 nights stay in Taipei, we stayed in
Hotel 8 Zone (八方美学), which is a beautiful boutique hotel located at
No.8, Sec 1, Jinshan S. Rd, Jhongjheng District (台北市中正区，金山南路一段八号).
The nearest Metro station is Zhong Xiao Xin Sheng Station (忠孝新生站) , which is 2 stops away from Taipei Main Station (台北车站) which is the main interchange of the Metro System in Taipei.
The metro station is within 5 minutes walking distance from Hotel 8 Zone. (via Exit 2 of Zhong Xiao Xin Sheng station) Furthermore, there are 24-hr fastfood joints like Mos Burger and 7-11 convenience stores nearby too.
Thus, convenience of our hotel really cannot be emphasized enough! Totally strategic location :D
Service wise, I would award the hotel staff 10 out of 5 stars! Yes, it is THAT GOOD. Upon our arrival at the airport, they received us with warm greetings and radiant smiles on their faces, which made us feel very welcomed!
Not only that, they prepared some yummylicious confectionery to give us an energy boost after the flight! After which, we were fetched to the hotel via coach...
Outside the main entrance of Hotel 8 Zone
The very pretty lobby!
Just some of the many varieties of food you get to eat at Hotel 8 Zone's buffet breakfast
The lobby converts into a lounge/chillax bar at night, playing awesome music and serving cocktails!
After exploring the lobby, we checked into our room! Jolyn and I were staying in room 507 :)
Look at the intricate details, even if it's a small thing such as the door number! Hotel 8 Zone is really tastefully decorated.
Super comfy beds, and an awesome layout. What more could we ask for? :D
The room features a contemporary open concept which allows a full view of the bathroom from the bedroom. Of course, if you want, you can always draw the curtains to ensure total privacy :)
It's always awesome to end a day with an equally awesome shower :)
P.S. full set of toiletries provided means that you don't have to bring them along in your baggage! Very complimentary for a jetsaver light flight i would say, as it allows you to shop more with your 10KG of cabin baggage!
They also have a jacuzzi in the bathroom! Great for relaxing those sore muscles after shopping!
Hotel 8 Zone going all the way to help us with our luggage
The Hotel 8 Zone staff knew our names & always attended to our requests very quickly! Very very sweet folks, love them to bits :)
Jumpshot because we love Hotel 8 Zone!
Labels: hotel
2:08 AM
Night one, Shi Da Night Market 师大夜市
We took the metro from our hotel to
Taipower Building Station台电大楼, where
Shi Da Night Market 师大夜市is located! (less then 5 minutes walking distance from the metro)
Shi Da Night Market is famous for its food and also affordable shopping! It is called Shi Da Night Market because it is near National Taiwan Normal University(国立台湾师范大学) .
Look at the amount of people there, & this was at about 930-10pm!
One of the famous food there is
Arnor Crepes! (阿诺可丽饼) It's famous for super big portions at a super affordable price. Who says cheap things are not good?
It's UBER YUMMY!
Another must try at the night market is Two Peck's Chicken Pie!(派克脆皮鸡排)
Fried on-the-spot, crispy, juicy, succulent chicken cutlet.... ahhh...
This Cong Zhua Bing (葱抓饼) is somewhat like our Roti Prata, just that it tastes more chinese-inspired! You can choose from toppings such as egg, cheese, bacon etc...
Note: Expenses are always calculated for 2 people
Train fare from Zhong Xiao Xin Sheng to Taipower Building = 20/pax x 2
= 40 NTD
Food for 2 of us at Shi Da Night Market = 统一布丁奶茶 45 + 派克鸡排 45 + 葱抓饼 35 + 可丽饼 45
=170 NTD
Labels: night market, Shi Da
2:07 AM
Night one, Holiday KTV 好乐迪 KTV
After lots of shopping and yummy food at Shi Da Night Market, we continued to rock our night away at
Holiday KTV! Took the train to
Zhong Xiao Fu Xing station(忠孝复兴站) where the Karaoke is located.
This branch (for more information, please visit
Holiday KTV's website) operates round the clock, (24 hours) so you can drop by anytime you feel like singing!
We made a short video documentary on it! (video below, or click
HEREEEEE to watch it if the embed doesn't load) Do take some time to watch it, you'll learn alot more about it after you finish watching :)
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Note: Expenses spent at Holiday KTV is not included in our S$60 SGD budget because this is purely our personal indulgence in our passion :)
However, it is still rather affordable! Check out their website for more information on pricing.
Labels: 24 hour, KTV, leisure spot, passion, singing, Zhong Xiao Fu Xing
2:06 AM
Day 2, Taking the Metro to Tamsui 淡水
After a sumptuous buffet breakfast at Hotel 8 Zone, we headed to the Metro station to take the Metro to Tamsui (淡水)!
In Taipei, there are a few ways of travelling. You could either use a one-way card (单程票), easycard (悠游卡) , or a one-day card (一日卡).
We chose to use the easycard because it's cheaper than a one-way card, and because we did not take so many train rides such that we needed to purchase the one-day card.
Easy to use machines to top up your easycard!
Ensuring the safety of the ladies
Taiwanese are really courteous when it comes to "train-manners"! Keeping right on escalators, & queueing up to enter the train cabin.
We're going to Tamsui!
Another form of train-mannerism, priority seats are always left empty for the needy.
A shot outside Tamsui train station! Fetish for red-brick buildings :p
Note: Expenses are always calculated for 2 people
Train fare from 忠孝新生 to 淡水 = 40/pax x 2
= 80 NTD
Labels: metro, tamsui
2:05 AM
Day 2, Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf 淡水渔人码头
After arriving at Tamsui, we bought tickets to go to the oh-so-famous Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf! (淡水渔人码头)
Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf is a scenic spot, well-known for its beautiful sunset & fresh seafood. There are also many leisure activities there! It still mainly functions as a harbor for fishing boats.
The boat that we took
Kickass scenery + awesome breeze :)
Camwhoring shots with wind in our hair is absolute necessary :)
The famous architecture there is the Lovers Bridge! 情人桥
Lovers Bridge, Tamsui (情人桥)
Jumping in front of the bridge...
... and on it!
You gotta admit we're getting really good at jump shots :)
Note: Expenses are always calculated for 2 people
Ferry ticket to 淡水渔人码头 = 100/pax x 2
= 200 NTD
Labels: boat ride, fisherman's wharf, tamsui
2:04 AM
Day 2, Tamsui's Freshwater Street Traditional Delicacies淡水老街
We chose to go to Tamsui Freshwater Street because we heard of the breathtaking scenery & of course also the many traditional Taiwanese snacks there which are absolutely delicious! Finally got to try it for ourselves :)
Mister Donut shops are everywhere in Taipei!
Taiwanese drink called
柠檬爱玉, basically there's this jelly-like pudding inside the drink which is very yummy! Good for the sweltering heat.
Another traditional food which is yummylicious... SNOW ICE (雪花冰)!!!
Wide variety of flavours to choose from, and comes in a super huge serving! (A bowl which costs 50NTD can serve up to 3 people)
This mini-dumpling like thing you see in the picture is called 芋圆！ It's a traditional Taiwanese food, which is made of yam and extremely chewy, tastes somewhat like our pearls in bubbletea :p
The awesome thing about snow ice is that it's not plain ice coated with mango syrup, but the ice itself is actually mango flavoured!
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Next up, introducing the 4 阿s (4 AH )of Tamsui! A must-try when you go there.
1. 阿婆铁蛋 Ah Po Tie Dan
2. 阿给 Ah Gei
Basically 阿给is a fried tofu which is stuffed with Tung Hoon and fish paste! (塞满冬粉的炸豆腐) Also worth trying at this shop is the fishball soup (鱼丸汤) and Fried Bee Hoon (肉燥米粉). All dishes are at 30NTD/bowl! Extremely affordable.
3. 阿香虾卷 Ah Xiang Fried Prawn Rolls
You can always judge a food's yummylicious-level by looking at the queue :)
Fried on-the-spot! Super crispy and yums!
4. “阿妈的” 酸梅汤 Ah Ma De Plum Tea
Another famous drink at Tamsui! It's called
酸梅汤, and you gotta drink the one sold by
阿妈的 cos it's the authentic one!
And a random way to end this post... Guess what's this?
Bet the packaging gotcha! Looks like pads, but it's actually marshmallows :P
P.S. not included in personal expenses as this is a bring back gift for my friends
Note: Expenses are always calculated for 2 people
Food for 2 of us at 淡水 = 柠檬爱玉 25 + 酸梅汤 25 + 芒果雪花冰 50 + 阿给/肉燥米粉/鱼丸汤 90 + 阿香虾卷 15
Labels: food, snow ice, tamsui, traditional delicacies
2:03 AM
